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Her Story/Our Story

Here at Family Scholar House, each individual story contributes to the larger story of who we are, what we do, and how we make a difference in the world.

This morning, a soon-to-be Family Scholar House resident sent an email to one of our staff members, an email telling her story of how she came to FSH. With her permission, an excerpt from that email is shared below:

Almost three years ago, I had to literally flee for my life from an abusivemarriage. At 4:00 in the morning I put my three year-old daughter in thecar, loaded some personal items, and I drove 16 hours from Dallas, TXstraight Louisville, KY. As I drove out of the driveway, I felt this panicand sorrow come over me…I was leaving the comforts of a beautiful home, ahigh paying job and friends that loved me. I looked over at my baby girland told myself, “Do not look back, nothing is more important than your

life and providing a safe and secure environment for your daughter.”

Over the past few years we have had to live where ever someone would let usstay, some conditions were good and some were bad; sometimes even livingout of my car. I have been crying for almost three years, and I was aboutto literally give up…ready to end my life when someone suggested I contactthe Family Scholar House. I was skeptical that they would be able to helpme; I was already on several waiting lists for housing assistance, but wastold it would take 2-5 years. So together we made the phone call… and now I am about to be a resident…From the moment I was notified of the goodnews, my daughter and I have ridden by the construction site weekly to lookat the place that will soon be our “home”; such a simple word, but sopowerful. I have not been able to say that word in almost three years, it

feels so good to say it now.

Her story–but part our FSH story, too. And a reminder of why we do this work, and of all the incredible donors, supporters and volunteers who make it happen. For all of them we are thankful.

And we are especially thankful for our families–for their witness to what strength, courage, and determination can do, for their efforts at being the best parents and scholars they can be, for their willingness to share their stories–in order that our collective story might be one that celebrates the goodness and potential and promise in each of us.